To James Madison from James Monroe, 26 September 1822
From James Monroe
Washington Sepr 26th. 1822.
Dear Sir
My affairs in Albemarle, requiring my attendance there, again, before the meeting of Congress, & the Phisician deeming the exercise useful to Mrs Monroe’s health, we have resolvd to set out thither in a few days, & to call on you & Mrs Madison on the route. If we go by Loudon, which is not decided, it may be the last of the week (next) before we see you; but if we go direct, about the middle.
We have had a proposition from the strongest party in Cuba (in great confidence) to join our union, & to take measures to that effect promptly, on an intimation that they will be receiv’d.1 I have no doubt that such a measure, at this time, would shake our system, whatever might be the advantages, likely, or sure to attend it, if all the States would unite in it. On this subject however we will confer when I have the pleasure to see you. Your friend & servant
James Monroe
RC (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers). Docketed by JM.
1. For the proposal of Cuban agent Barnabé Sanchez and cabinet discussions on its merits, see John Quincy Adams’s diary entries for 26 and 27 Sept. 1822 (MHi: Adams Papers [microfilm ed.], reel 6); and Bemis, John Quincy Adams and the Foundations of American Foreign Policy, 372–74.